Roshani Impressive in Matchmaker Triumph

Entering the Aug. 5 $150,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes (gr. IIIT) (VIDEO), Roshani had the race’s most impressive resume. Once jockey Garrett Gomez put the 4-year-old filly in perfect striking position, the rest of the field had no chance.

Roshani stalked pace-setting Humoristic for much of the race, then shifted into another gear as she hit the top of the stretch, eventually pulling away for a rather easy one-length victory on the turf at Monmouth Park. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Fantastic Light-Sahibah covered the 1 1/8-mile in 1:47 2/5, the even-money favorite paying $4.20, $3.40, $2.80.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Ben Mcelroy, Roshani has now won four of her last five and has hit the board in six of seven career starts. It was her first stakes victory.

“We’ve been high on this filly,” said Pletcher. “She’s a very nice filly. I was concerned about how this race would set up because there didn’t seem to be a lot of speed, so I told Garrett to do what he feels. I’m not sure where she will be going next.”

Humoristic, trained by Hamilton Smith, led for the first three-quarters, setting fraction of :24 4/5, :49 1/5 and 1:12 3/5. But when they hit the final turn the 28-1 longshot gave way to Roshani, who made a decisive three-wide bid and easily went by her rivals. Trick’s Pic, by Favorite Trick, rallied strongly to take second, while Humoristic gamely held for third.

“She found me a good spot early,” said Gomez. “I moved a little sooner than I wanted to but you have to deal with the hand you’re dealt. She handled the pressure from the rest of those horses well and then kicked on for home.”